Successful composite graft for fingertip amputations using ice-cooling and lipo-prostaglandin E1

Su Rak Eo, Gi Yeun Hur, Sang Hun Cho, Kodi K. Azari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

In distal fingertip amputations where microanastomosis may not be possible, composite grafting might offer the possibility of maintaining digital length and function using the patient's own tissue. Many trials such as ice-cooling, pharmacologic enhancement and hyperbaric oxygenation have been reported to improve the survival rate of the composite graft. Twenty-four cases of unreplantable fingertip amputation were classified as types I to III according to the level of injury. We performed the composite grafting followed by immediate ice-cooling for 2 weeks and intravenous lipo-prostaglandin E1 (lipo-PGE1) injection for 8.8 days each on average. Twenty-two fingertips in 24 patients survived completely with acceptable appearance and sensibility over the 8 month follow-up period. Confirming that therapeutic angiogenesis using ice-cooling and lipo-PGE1 can increase the survival rate of the composite graft in unreplantable fingertip amputation, we describe the procedures and postoperative care in detail.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)764-770
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Volume62
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009

Keywords

  • Composite graft
  • Fingertip amputation
  • Ice-cooling
  • Lipo-PGE

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